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The BC Combo

The BC Combo brings their wealth of experience and passion to Blues, Jazz, Swing, Folk, R&B, Soul and more. The list of who's who continues from their stage performances with Ray Charles, Koko Taylor, Ronnie Earl, Shemekia Copeland, Son Seals, Lonnie Brooks, Rhonnie Baker Brooks, Saffire, the Holmes Brothers, Carl Weathersby, Eddie King and so many more. The BC Combo is among the Lehigh Valley’s top performing groups being honored since 1999 by the Lehigh Valley Music Awards.

The BC Combo has been performing over 24 years, performing at festivals and events in the Northeastern U.S. from the Pennsylvania Blues Festival, and the Lehigh River Blues Jam to headlining Musikfest. Their signature style is recognized by audiences across the region and abroad. Bev Conklin (BC) has an extraordinary compassion and grace that compliments her broad range of vocal styles and effortless power in voice. Wayne Smith on guitar, is the band leader, producer and arranger on all their material. Scott Siska is our newest member on bass. Kevin Groller, U.S. Marine, brings the steady beat on drums. Their motto…”It’s all about having fun!”

Live & Unplugged at Godfrey Daniels (BC & The Blues Crew 2003)- show sponsored by the Lehigh Valley Music Awards

BC & Lea Live at Godfrey Daniels (BC & The Blues Crew 2004) - show sponsored by WDIY Radio

Good One! (BC & The Blues Crew 2008) - show sponsored by WDIY Radio

What people are saying...

"It was a powerful show. It was a whisper and a roar all in one.""I thought your set was fabulous--your band filled the music to perfection.""What a superb performance you and the whole band put in on Friday evening – it was magnificent!""what a beautiful and outstanding performance - it just bristled with feeling.""Your new originals are powerful and they capture each of you as individuals - extraordinary.""Infectious grooves. Great playing and singing.""Great vocals. The drums were tight. ...Loved it!""BC, no one has topped your delivery on Hip Shakin Mama yet!""Great vocals, great harmonies. Obvious seasoned veterans. Perfect fit for one another. Great job!""You and your mates are the best combo I have ever heard. Thank you so much for making this day one of the most memorable I've ever had.""I dare you NOT to love BC"

ABOUT US

Bev Conklin, also known as BC, began her career as the lead singer of BC & The Blues Crew, formed in 1992. This band, based out of the Lehigh Valley PA, became the premier, female-led Blues band in the region for 18 years with 5 CDs receiving international play and publication reviews. The 5 CDs recorded, represent their singer-songwriter skills and have continued to receive international attention and sales. This group became 1 of 7 bands who made it to the Finals in Memphis TN, during the Blues Foundation’s International Blues Challenge (IBC). There, they represented the Billtown Blues Society after winning its local IBC. Most of the band members have received Lehigh Valley Blues Awards over the years for Best Vocalist (BC), All-around Performer (BC), Best Band, Best Website, Best CDs, Best Instrumentalist (wind, keyboards, bass and guitar) and many others over the years.

In 2010, the band changed its name to The BC Combo and recorded a CD representing the trio version of the group, primarily for smaller venues having live music today. The purpose was to remove the “Blues” out of the band name because it limited their opportunity to expand their broader Americana, roots-based original material to a wider audience. They also wanted to become sustainable performers by being able to perform as a duo, trio… or a full-size horn band, depending on the venue or event. Now, over 2 decades together, the band has reached a level of entertainment by well-respected supporters. The BC Combo has performed at nearly every concert hall, music and wine festival and major events old and new. They have headlined and featured many of these arenas and continue to perform locally as area favorites. The highest honor aside for opening for Ray Charles, was the most recent years as the host band for the Pennsylvania Blues Festival (formerly known as the Pocono Blues Festival), featuring regional and national Blues artists on the opening day of this all-weekend event.

Bev Conklin manages and books the band. Bev is the founder and producer of The Lehigh River Blues Jam Festival in Catasauqua PA in partnership with the Boro of Catasauqua. Prior to this she was part of the team for The Hack’s Blues Festival, Easton PA’s Beer Festival and Cementon PA’s Lehigh Valley Blues Festival. Bev and the band have helped many local artists reach their own level of maturity at their weekly jams and have played a role in numerous philanthropic efforts, including hosting benefits to support local artists when in need. BC and the band have been invited to perform with many of the region’s finest bands on recordings and for numerous events in prominent venues over the years. They are already booked for major regional blues festivals and events near you.

Their motto... "It's all about having fun". They are in the process of recording a new CD, which will represent new songs written over the past 4 years. The BC Combo is a well respected group from diverse backgrounds and has international years of touring experience by most of its members. They are always up for new experiences and the rewards of growing their large community of supporters.

Weekly jam hosted by The BC Combo every Sunday. New venue now at Chicago's (formerly Mezza Luna) in Allentown, PA (5:30 pm). We want to thank Pitcher's entire team for hosting the jam for 12 years.

"I thought your set was fabulous--your band filled the music to perfection. Dave Smith is such an important part of your show - loved it..." Michael Cloreen (Blast Furnace Blues Festival 2012)

"What a superb performance you and the whole band put in on Friday evening – it was magnificent! Thank you for all the extra preparation that you put in for this performance, adding new jazz material to your playlist like Memphis Underground, or new material in the jazz tradition of jazzy takes on popular traditional material like Scarborough Fair and House of the Rising Sun and other popular songs, as well as your fabulous rendition of Summertime. I’m sure that you won over a number of new fans that had not been exposed to your music before. It’s a pity it wasn’t recorded, it would have made an excellent live album. Thanks again for all of your effort and for the tremendous performance." August 2012, Allentown Symphony Hall Jazz Cabaret Series - Bill Dautremont-Smith - Executive Director WDIY

"Ditto Bev, one of the top 3 shows in the Cafe so far. Great job Bev!" February 2012, Musikfest Cafe - Jeffrey Parks - ArtsQuest President

"Bev, Unbelievable show! It was among my top favorites at the Café so far! Next year - a dance floor for sloooooow dancing." February 2012, Musikfest Cafe - Robin Zaremski - Performing Arts - Business Development

"Bev, What a beautiful and outstanding performance you and the Combo put on at the Lehigh Valley Christmas Concert this evening - it just bristled with feeling! What a great idea turning Fly Like an Eagle into Fly like a Reindeer to make it fit the bill as a Christmas song while still allowing you to contribute a really soulful and jazzy blues performance - it was the highlight of an excellent evening for both Charleyne & I. And it was great that Dave Smith was with you - his performance on alto was phenomenal. We don't get to hear him often enough in recent years!" November 28, 2010, Allentown Symphony Hall - Bill Dautremont-Smith, Executive Director WDIY Radio

"Bev, I really enjoyed the arrangement on "Fly Like An Eagle" and was amazed at how the trio sounded like a 5 piece band. Wayne's musicality on guitar and drums at the same time is something special to experience and watch. I really loved your set overall and was really impressed with your sound." October 17, 2009, Sellersville Theater - Bruce Ranes

"...featured Bev Conklin on vocals, accompanied by bassist Nick Franclik and Wayne Smith, who handled not only the guitar but a bass drum pedal. Conklin belted out originals and covers and reminded us why some locals refer to her as Queen of the Blues. Jodi Duckett, The Morning Call, posted May 25, 2009 - Mayfair

"I have been following Bev around the Lehigh Valley for over a decade. Bev is the most verstatile and talented entertainer in a hundred mile radius. I have to stop at 100 miles because BB King has a place in NYC and Patty LaBelle has a place Philly. But I need to add, Bev is as good as both of them... " Fran Abuisi, March 2009

"... featuring Bev Conklin (known by her blues friends as BC), filled extra time with aplomb. BC has a strong fan base in the Lehigh Valley, and on Tuesday (@ The Ice House with Duke Robilliard), she showed why... " Daryl Nerl, The Morning Call - Musikfest Blognotes, August 2006

Photo: All web page header photos taken by Jeffrey Heller, our official band photographer